Scottie Scheffler’s title defense at the Masters hit a few bumps in the road on Friday, but with a bit of luck and skill, he remains in contention. The two-time Masters champion took some unexpected detours into the Augusta National flora, with his ball finding the azaleas and magnolia trees at various points. Now, as he heads into the weekend, Scheffler finds himself three shots off the lead and in a tied fifth-place position.
In 2022, Scheffler entered the weekend with a five-shot lead and went on to win by three strokes. Last year, he was tied for the lead after the second round and eventually won by four, adding to a season that included nine wins and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. This time, however, the 28-year-old is at 5-under 139, trailing leaders Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau, and Rory McIlroy.
Over his first 24 holes, Scheffler played flawless golf, free from bogeys and drama. But then, he experienced some turbulence, with three bogeys in a five-hole stretch. On the par-3 12th, it looked like he might get in serious trouble when his approach sailed well past the flag and landed on an upslope in the azaleas. The bushes, however, gave him a lucky break by spitting the ball out, leaving him with a manageable chip. From there, he made an incredible birdie.
The winds began to pick up, making things even more difficult. However, Scheffler showed resilience by birdieing holes 14 and 17, though a three-putt bogey on the par-3 16th prevented him from making more ground. On 18, a wayward drive under a magnolia tree forced him to kneel to address the ball, eventually asking a rules official for clarification. He managed to punch out to the fairway, but his third shot sailed over the green. He salvaged a bogey, but it was another reminder of the challenges Augusta National presents.
Despite the bumps along the way, Scheffler’s short game, particularly the birdie on 12, helped keep him within striking distance. While McIlroy and DeChambeau surged ahead, fans continued to marvel at Scheffler’s precision with his iron play. His approach shots to holes 4 and 6, the latter leading to a birdie, were particularly impressive.
Scheffler’s quest for a third green jacket this weekend puts him in rare company. If he were to win again, he would join Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods as the only players to win three Masters in four years. He would also become the first golfer to win back-to-back Masters since Woods did so in 2002.
As a new father, this is Scheffler’s first Masters with his 11-month-old son, Bennett, by his side. Bennett even took part in the Wednesday Par 3 Contest, donning a tiny caddie jumpsuit. With a chance to make more memories with his son on Sunday, Scheffler’s journey is far from over.